International Friendlies: Belgium vs Costa Rica, 5 Talking Points

The FIFA World Cup is just two days away and the International Friendly weeks are finally wrapping up with almost all the teams making their journeys to the host nation, Russia. Both the World Cup Participant sides, Belgium and Costa Rica finally ended the Friendly Campaign in a fixture against each other, with the European side coming out on top with a rather easy 4-1 victory over the South Americans.

Where Belgians had a rather decent run in their friendly campaign, in which they remained unbeaten for 17 consecutive games, Costa Ricans had a Bittersweet overall outcome. They registered a victory against Northern Island, however, lost 2-0 at the hands of England and now 4-1 against Belgium. But both the sides have their best elements which they can and need to utilize in order to get positive outcomes in the World Cup.

5 major aspects on which we can measure both the World Cup sides' performances against each other and also in the previous friendly games are:

---

#5 Chance Creation

Hazard: One of the playmakers for Red Devils

If we look at the stats, Belgium took a total of 21 shots at goal with 9 on target and 4 finding the back of the net. Costa Rica only had 2 shots at goal, with 1 being an off-target attempt and another being the opening goal of the game and for the Ricans. This definitely throws light on the clear disparity in abilities of both the sides in creating and converting chances.

Belgium has the world's finest playmakers playing in the midfield area as well as on the flanks, who somehow find space between the opposing defenders and are able to play the ball upfront, thus increasing the probability of scoring goals. This is definitely a standout point for the European side, which can create recurring troubles for the opposition.

Costa Rica has had problems creating plays throughout their friendly campaign and is definitely something that they need to work on to progress in their World Cup group. Instead of playing worthless long passes and crosses, the team should maximize the number of short passes and through balls, they play in the game. This may definitely work in getting the preferred outcome for the side. Dribbling needs a lot of work on the part of players as well.

#4 Passing Accuracy

Belgium put together a number of decent passes in their build-up.

The European side stands out on passing aspect as well. They dominated the possession and passed the ball around the field with good precision and accuracy. The first touches to control the long balls were sublime and perfect most of the times too. They charged when needed and passed the ball in a way that progressed the entire build up for the Red Devils.

Costa Rica was able to create a lot of successful yet short-lived passing spells throughout the game. Few hasty and rushed passes at the end of an overall calm passing displays hindered the team's ability to score goals throughout the match.

#3 Finishing Abilities

Costa Rica Captain Ruiz drilled a low volley past Courtois to take the lead.

With the Man United striker scoring a brace and providing a selfless assist for the fourth goal of the match, Belgium's finishing abilities look up-to-date and ready to be tested in the upcoming World Cup. With consistently performing attackers like Lukaku, Mertens, Hazard, De Bruyne and Carrasco, Belgium successfully kept a high tally of goals in most of the friendly games, something they will hope to deliver in their tournament fixtures as well.

Costa Rica can rely on players like Ruiz, Urena, and Campbell who have a good eye for the back of the net. And even while, the team creates not too many chances to score a goal, they can definitely trouble the opposing goalkeeper and defenders with their powerful volleys and strikes at goal.

#2 Defensive Preparedness

Which defense came out on top?

Costa Rica displayed a more defensive gameplay as Belgians pressurized their defense lines throughout the fixture. The Red and Blues even after successfully dealing with most crosses and near assists, failed to keep a few efforts out of the goal, which ultimately made the difference on the scoreline.

As their attacking players were kept marked by Belgian defenders, the midfielders instead of putting the ball ahead, were forced to play a lot of back passes, that eventually invited pressure on the defenders.

Belgium's defense is just like the rest of the squad, a star-studded one. They mark the players well throughout the game which limits passing options for the opponent side. Defensive midfielders like Witsel and De Bruyne also aid to the defensive line with acting as a continuous passing availability.

#1 Goalkeeping

Navas denied an early chance for Lukaku

Belgium has a decent goalkeeping triplet, with the Chelsea Keeper, Thibaut Courtois starting it in the playing 11 for every post club season friendly fixture. He denied a lot of chances in the goalless draw against Portugal but wasn't tested to best of his abilities in the fixtures against Egypt and Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has their goal protected alright with the star Madrid Keeper, Keylor Navas in front of it. Navas is without a doubt, one of the best goalkeepers in the world at the moment. His agility and quick-reacting potential definitely make it harder for the opposition to make it through.

But again, saves don't win matches, goals do. Navas can very well protect the Costa Rican side from conceding goals, that too, with an added effort of the defense, but it is the players in front that need to convert chances into goals.